Trip Date: November 6, 2020

2020 CALIFORNIA & UTAH ADVENTURE VACATION

Angel’s Landing Day Climb

Scout Lookout
Angel’s Landing (5790′)

Trip Report Summary

Region: Utah

Sub-Region: Southwestern Utah

Area: Zion National Park

Starting & Ending Point: Lower West Rim Trailhead at The Grotto on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (Elev. 4300 feet)

Way Points: North Fork Virgin River Bridge & Refrigerator Canyon & Walter’s Wiggles & Scout Lookout (trail hike)

Sidetrip: Scout Lookout viewpoint (trail hike & off-trail hike)

Summit: Angel’s Landing (rock scramble via Northwest Ridge [Chain Route] )

Approximate Stats: 5 miles traveled; 1650 feet gained & lost; 2.2 hours up; 1.7 hours down.

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Full Trip Report

Eileen and Brooke and I started our Utah vacation with a trek up Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park.  This was Eileen’s third ascent, my second ascent, and Brooke’s first.  We thought that COVID-19 restrictions in the park (such as a greatly reduced capacity on the shuttle buses) would thin the crowds, but there seemed to be every bit as many people as in previous years.

Starting at The Grotto in early afternoon, we crossed over the North Fork Virgin River and began a 2-mile hike up to Scout Lookout.  The rock engineering along this trail never fails to impress, and vivid autumn color was abundant throughout Zion Canyon.

We reached Scout Lookout in mid-afternoon (1.2 hours + 1200 feet from TH) and made a short sidetrip up to the north for an overview look at Angel’s Landing.  A steady stream of people could be seen going up and down the “chain route.”

Returning to Scout Lookout, we queued up for our ascent of Angel’s Landing.  We slowly scrambled up the slabby sandstone and exposed ridge, carefully working through the two-way traffic.  Downhill travelers expressed varying degrees of excitement or trepidation regarding their journey.

We gained the summit in late afternoon (2.2 hours + 1650 feet from TH) and were immediately buffeted by strong, gusty winds.  Brooke and I spent the entire time desperately holding onto our hats!

It was late afternoon by the time we headed down, and the number of scramblers on the peak had decreased considerably; as such, our descent was relatively unhindered by uphill traffic.  This allowed an opportunity to really focus on the incredible exposure of the chain route!

We arrived back at The Grotto just after dark (1.7 hours from summit) and hopped on a down-canyon shuttle bus.

Photo Gallery

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